Millions of students from all over the world dream of studying in Australia in 2025. And there are many good reasons for it: top-notch education, career opportunities, PR pathways, and so on. But the most attractive part is the best scholarships in Australia for international students, especially Indians, which makes the transition process even simpler.
According to the Australian Government Department of Education, Indian students now make up nearly 17% of all international enrolments in Australia. That’s why the universities and even the government continue to introduce scholarships to support them.
Let’s have a look at the list of available scholarships in Australia for Indian Students for 2025 intakes, along with the eligibility criteria, deadlines, tuition fees covered, and some special tips for the application.
The Australian Government invests millions every year in scholarships for international students, and Indian students are among the biggest beneficiaries of these initiatives. Let’s have a look at some such top Scholarships for Indian Students in Australia:
Application Timeline: February – April
The Australia Awards Scholarships are one of the best scholarships for Indian students in Australia because they cover all major expenses and offer significant long-term benefits beyond academics, such as professional networking and leadership development. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) funds it to contribute to the educational needs of partner countries.
Eligibility
- Must be a citizen of a country that is eligible (India is included)
- To be accepted, applicants must meet the requirements of Australian schools.
- You need to meet English language requirements (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
- Strong academic record and a promise to help improve their home country after they finish their studies
Did You Know?
In 2024 alone, Australia invested about $270 million in the Australia Awards Scholarship program. No wonder the alumni network now has over 100,000 members, including former prime ministers and presidents.
Benefits
- Full tuition fees
- Round-trip economy airfare to and from Australia on the fastest route
- Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) is paid every two weeks to help with basic living costs
- One-time payment for housing and study materials
- Health insurance for international students (OSHC) for the length of the scholarship
- Pre-course English training, if required
- Supplementary academic support for academic success
- Fieldwork allowance for research students who have to do fieldwork
Applications must be submitted through the Online Australia Awards Scholarships Information System (OASIS). The selection process is pretty detailed and may include an interview.
Application Timeline: May – October
Research Training Program (RTP) is for students who want to pursue a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), like a Master of Research or a PhD, in any Australian university.
Eligibility
- Must have enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research program
- Excellent academic record, usually First Class Honours or something similar
- Must demonstrate research potential and aptitude
Did You Know?
Originally known as the “Overseas Research Fellowships Scheme,” Australia’s RTP began in the 1960s! It is among the world’s oldest international research support initiatives.
Benefits
- Full tuition fee waiver for research degrees
- A living allowance. The exact amount depends on the university you choose.
- Covers a duration of up to 3.5 years for PhD and 2 years for Master’s by Research
- AUD 2,000 to AUD 3,000 relocation allowance for moving between states or countries
- International students can get Overseas Student Health Cover.
- Paid time off for things like sick leave, vacation time, and parental leave
International applicants are not subject to country-specific restrictions. The selection process is entirely merit-based and evaluates three primary factors: Academic achievement and writing skills (40% weighting), Research project quality and university alignment (30% weighting), and Research motivation and experience (30% weighting).
Yet, the process is decentralised. You cannot apply for it via a central government website. Rather, you have to submit an application directly to the university where you want to study. Applying to several universities is strongly advised in order to improve your chances.
Application Timeline: September – November
The Maitri Scholars Program is tailored specifically for Indian students who focus on STEM and technical subjects. It was created to strengthen the cultural and research exchange between the two countries.
Eligibility
- Indian citizenship is required
- Must be a new enrollment at a participating Australian university
- Must have an Admission offer for a Higher Degree by Research (PhD or Master’s by Research)
- Must be pursuing STEM or technological fields
- A valid Australian student visa
Did You Know?
The word ‘Maitri’ that stands for friendship is no coincidence. The main aim of the program is to build lasting research partnerships between India and Australia.
Benefits
- Substantial financial support for tuition fees (up to AUD 439,000)
- Monthly allowance for living expenses
- Flight in economy from India to Australia in return
- One-time establishment fee upon arrival
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Coverage for travel insurance
- Visa and passport assistance
- Support for temporary accommodations
- Funding for professional development
Just like the Research Training Program (RTP), there’s no official government portal for application. You need to express an interest in the Maitri Scholars Program to the university. They will nominate the eligible candidates.
Apart from the government and non-government organisations (NGOs), many top universities are also actively introducing their own scholarships to help Indian students wishing to study abroad in Australia. Let’s have a look at them:
Application Timeline: April – May
Sydney Scholars India Scholarship Program is often considered the most generous university-specific scholarship in Australia for indian students. It aims to empower young students with academic achievement to study in Australia.
Eligibility
- Must be an Indian citizen and live in India right now (proof needed)
- Applied for but have not yet started a bachelor’s or master’s degree program
- Received an unconditional offer letter from the university
- Cannot have previously held the Sydney India Scholarship
- Academic merit
Fun Fact
Sydney has over 100 beaches. So, every weekend you can explore a new spot for surfing!
A total of 28 scholarships, worth up to AUD 40,000, are given out each year. You can apply online through the University of Sydney scholarship portal. A special committee looks at both academic merit and personal statements to pick the right candidates.
Application Timeline: At the time of admission
UNSW’s International Student Award is a top-tier scholarship to attract highly talented students from developing countries.
Eligibility
- Be a valid international student
- Must have an Indian citizenship
- You must be a new, full-time student on campus at UNSW in a diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate coursework program (online programs not included)
- Have received an unconditional or conditional (UEEC) offer to a qualifying program
- Not a current UNSW student
There are no specific procedures for the scholarship application. Just upload a 500-word personal statement that explains why you want to study at UNSW during the application process. You will be assessed based on your academic merit and aptitude.
Fun Fact
You will receive confirmation of your scholarship within two days of accepting your admission offer. That makes your planning much easier!
If received, you will get 15% off your tuition every term throughout the duration of your degree. And you can stack this with other UNSW scholarships for more financial aid.
No Separate Application Required
Adelaide University, one of the most respected universities in Australia, has provided many financial support programs since its beginning. Global Citizens Scholarship is one such new initiative that aims to uplift academically bright young students.
The best part is that you don’t need to apply for it separately. Your eligibility is automatically checked when you apply for admission.
Eligibility
- Must apply for admission by the deadline
- Must meet the program’s minimum entry requirements
- Must be an international student starting undergraduate or postgraduate coursework at the University of Adelaide in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
Fun Fact
Adelaide is called Australia’s wine capital. Weekend trips to vineyards will be as common as chai breaks back home.
Benefits
It consists of two tiers:
- Top-ranked applicants get a 30% discount on their tuition for the whole degree program
- 15% off tuition for high-achieving students who don’t meet the top-tier threshold
You can stack this with other non-tuition scholarships, like travel awards and accommodation grants.
Some scholarships in Australia are connected to specific courses. That means you can target funding that directly matches your study goals.
Let’s have a look at some popular scholarship programs to study in Australia:
| Course/Field |
Scholarship Name |
Benefits |
Eligibility |
| Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
F H Loxton Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Scholarship |
AUD 20,000 |
International students in Chemical/Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
Future Leaders MBA Scholarship |
Covers full tuition fee (up to AUD 70,000) |
Part-time MBA students with leadership experience and future potential |
| Laboratory Medicine, Biomedical Science |
Helen Berriman Laboratory Medicine Scholarship |
Up to AUD 40,000 |
International Students in Laboratory Medicine or Biomedical Science at the University of South Australia |
| Bachelor of Nursing |
RAMIRA International Student Nursing Scholarship |
Up to AUD 15,000 |
International nursing students at the University of South Australia |
| Bachelor of Business (Property) |
Business (Property) Carter Scholarship – UniSA |
Up to AUD 15,000 |
Second-year students in the Bachelor of Business (Property) with a GPA of 5.0+ at the University of South Australia |
Check out four tips to get a scholarship in Australia for Indian students:
Most students apply for the degree and hope a scholarship comes their way. A smart student does the opposite: they find the scholarship before they even apply for the course.
We’re not mentioning the top scholarships for Indian students in Australia, like the Australia Awards. Rather, aim for less popular micro-scholarships that fit your criteria. Have a look at some such scholarships:
The criteria for applying to scholarships for international students in Australia are not just limited to academics. Many organisations want well-rounded individuals who can make a societal impact. Here’s how to impress them:
- Make a scholarship-specific CV. You must organise your accomplishments that are in line with the scholarship’s values at the top of your CV. For instance, if you’re applying to a leadership scholarship, put your leadership roles at the top.
- Don’t just end with mentioning the role. Try to explain the specific results you obtained. You can write something like: “As a volunteer, I helped organise a literacy drive for poor kids that helped more than 500 kids in two months.”
- Attach specific Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from your teachers and bosses. It should focus on your accomplishments that exhibit your skills and personality.
Most scholarships in Australia require proof of English skills, and that’s not limited to the minimum admission requirement score.
For instance, even if you just need a TOEFL iBT score of 80+ for the course admission, aim for more than 94 to receive the scholarship. Higher scores make you more likely to get merit-based funding. And have a look at some tips for that:
- Take a mock test first to find your weak areas instead of jumping straight into prep.
- Prepare well using the official study materials. You can also join the free courses by the universities to further improve your skills.
- Set up your test for 6 to 9 months before you start school so you can take it again if you need to.
- Consider taking PTE. It gives faster results as the test is computer-based. You will have more time to meet the scholarship deadlines.
Fun Fact
English is just a scholarship and visa requirement. In fact, Australia has no official language! Even though English is widely spoken, there are over 200 different dialects spoken across the country. So, you’ll never feel a cultural shock!
Highly competitive scholarships often use interviews to select the right candidates. You need to present your story in a clear and interesting manner.
You can follow the STAR methodology:
- S (for Situation): Give a short description of the problem or situation you were in.
- T (for Task): Explain your specific responsibility.
- A (for Action): Detail what you did to address the situation.
- R (for Result): Conclude with the positive result of your actions.
You can use this framework to practice your answers to common questions. It makes your stories easy to remember and follow. And above all, it shows off your skills in a powerful way.
1. Is it possible to apply for more than one scholarship at once?
Yes, you can apply for more than one scholarship if you meet the requirements. However, you can only accept one major award.
2. Do I need an Australian student visa before applying for scholarships?
Most of the time, you can apply for scholarships first as soon as you get the Certificate of Enrolment (CoE).
3. Do we have to pay a fee to apply for scholarships?
No, universities and government programs usually don’t charge fees for applying for scholarships. Charges are only for course admissions.
4. Do scholarships in Australia automatically renew every year?
Yes, mostly it gets renewed automatically. But some scholarships have a minimum GPA requirement that you need to keep throughout the course duration. If it goes down for at least one semester, the scholarship status may expire.
Fun Fact
The Indian student community in Australia is so large that Melbourne now hosts one of the biggest Holi festivals outside India. It’s a celebration many international students look forward to every year.
Studying in Australia opens doors to many exciting career opportunities. And scholarships make it easier on your wallet. Luckily, Indian students today have more options than ever before.
But availing of it is not as easy as you might think. You need to handle several things at the same time: scholarship shortlisting, application preparation, gathering your documents, managing your admissions, and dealing with student visa requirements. That’s where you need an extra hand.
At The Chopras – TC Global, we can help you with the heavy lifting. We help you identify the best scholarships for Indian students in Australia that fit your profile. Our dedicated team will help you write good scholarship essays and submit them on time.
Thus, you can focus on preparing for life in Australia while we take care of the process. Start your study abroad journey with us now!
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